leins



ELECTRO-MAGET'IC SAFETY SHUT-OFF DEVICE WITH TIME DELAY RESET July 22, 1958 o J I ElNs Filed Deo. 1s. 195o 2 sheets-sheet 1 United States Patent O ELECTRO-MAGNETIC SAFETY SHUT-OFF DEVICE WITH TIME DELAY RESET Oscar J. Leins, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner to Baso Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 13, 1950, Serial No. 200,615

11 Claims. (Cl. 161-9) This invention relates, in general, to thermoelectric control devices, and has particular relation to an improved reset mechanism for thermoelectric safety shutoff devices.

While the particular device which will be hereinafter described in connection with the drawings is a thermoelectric safety shut-oit valve, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with this particular type of device, but may be employed with thermoelectric safety switches and all similar devices as suitable or desired.

Thermoelectric safety shut-off devices for maintaining, for example, ow of fuel to a burner as long as a thermoelectric generator is heated by the iiame of a pilot burner and for shutting off the liow of fuel to the burner upon extinguishment of the pilot burner flame are known in the art. Due to the inability of the minute thermoelectric current that can be generated by the heat ofa pilot burner llame on .a thermoelectric generator to actuate the shutJ-ofrr valve to open position or other controlling means, such as a switch, to operative position and the connected armature to attracted position relative to its 2 electromagnet, thermoelectric safety shut-off devices have required manual reset or cooking means for resetting or cooking, for example, the valve to open position or the switch to closed position and the connected armature to attracted position after each operation of the device to safety shut-off position.

The prior reset devices for resetting the armature to attracted position and the controlling member to operative position have had the objection of requiring the operator to hold the armature in attracted position and the valve, switch,.or other controlling member in operative position until the pilotburner or other burner (to the heat of which the thermoelectric generator, which is connected in circuit with the electromagnet, is subjected) is lighted and, by the heat thereof on the thermoelectric generator, has generated suihcient thennoelectric current to hold the armature in attracted position and the valve or other controlling member in operative position.

According to my present invention, there is provided in conjunction with a manually operable linger piece or actuator, an energy storing device in which energy is stored by simple manipulation of the actuator, and time delay mechanism which operatively cooperates with the energy storing device for providing a time delay between energization of the energy storing device and resetting of the armature to attracted position and the controlling member to operative position by the energy storing device.

The chief advantage of the invention is in the ability to cock or reset a thermoelectric safety shut-off device by a simple manual manipulationl of the actuator or finger piece and without requiring the person operating the device to hold the armature in attracted position and the controlling member in operative position for a prolonged period of time, i. e., until the electromagnet is energized y 2,844,201 Patented July 22, 1958 ice -suiciently by heating of the thermoelectric generator to -hold the armature attracted to the magnet frame and the controlling member in operative position.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the fact that flow interruption (i. e., shutting off of the ilow of fuel to the burner during the resetting or cooking operation) is not necessary, particularly where high speed 'action is obtained in the operator. This is due to the fact Another yfeature of the invention resides in the provi-v sion of a by-pass valve mechanism for by-passing gaseous fuel to `a pilot burner so that it may be lighted and heat the thermoelectric generator so that the electromagnet will ber energized sufficiently to hold the armature in attracted position and the controlling member in operative position when they, are actuated to such positions.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a device of relatively simple and inexpensive construction which is adapted for convenient assembly and installation and to operate effectively for the desired purpose. l

Further features and advantages and numerous adaptations of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 Vis asectional View, partially in elevation, of one-illustrative embodiment of the invention, taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2.is a fragmentary sectional view, partially in elevation yand partially diagrammatic, taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is Va more or less schematic exploded vie showing the principles of operation of the device;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View through the by-pass valve mechanism for the pilot burner;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the cam guide; Figure 6 is another elevational view of the cam guide taken at right angles to Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is-an elevational view of the'cam shaft showing the position of the cam thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration comprises a valve body or casing 1 having a fuel inlet 2 for receiving suitable gaseous fuel and a fuel outlet 3 for delivering the gaseous fuel, for example, to a main burner.

Internally the valve body 1 has a partition 4 provided with a valvey opening 5 for placing the inlet chamber 6 in communication with the outlet chamber 7. An annular valve seat 8 surrounds the inlet side of the opening 5.

A hood 9 is clamped to the valve body 1 by a unionl 9 preferably with a hood gasket therebetween. The interior ofthe hood 9 may be separated and sealed from the interior of the inlet chamber 6, for example, by

a guide member 10 having an axial opening 11 through y whichV the valve stern 10' has reciprocatory movement v with packing 12 to preventleakage of gas along the valve stemv10' from the inlet chamber 6 to the interior of thehood, as .shown in Oscar J. Leins, Patent Number" 2,126,564, patented August 9, 1938. These features per se form no part of the present invention, and therefore are 'not shownin detail in the drawings of the present application.

An electromagnet 1'3 is disposed within the hood 9 and comprises, for example, a U-shaped magnet frame 14 provided about one of its legs with a coil 15. The magnet frame 14 and a terminal bushing 16 may be rigidly securedA to the outer end of thehood 9;, for example, by a nut 1'7, asI shown in HaroldA. Mantz Patent No.,2,409, 947, patented October 22, 1946'. The lead comprises lead conductors 17 and1 18 which, while shown diagrammatically, maybe of the form shown in the above identiliedv Oscar I. Leinsl patent. At one end, the lead conduetors L7 and 18 are connected in circuit with the coil 15. The opposite ends of the lead conductors 17 and 18 are connectedv in circuit with the thermoelectric generatorelements'19 and 20 of a thermoelectric generator which, while shown-'in the form ofk aV thermocouple, may be int-he formy of'a thermopile, or of other suitable form.

The ther-moelectric generator elements 19 and 20 are joinedat 21 to form a hot thermojunction which may be positioned,l forfexample, to b e heated by the llame of a pilot bur-ner 22 as long asvk the pilot burner is ignited. The pilot burner 22 is disposed, for example, in juxtaposition to\a main burner 23l to ignite the, same. A fuel supply pipe 24 leads from-the; outljet3l to the main burner 23 for the delivery of gaseous fuel to the main burner, for example, througha mixing chamber 25V to whichI air is admitted, as wellunderstood in theart.

An armature 26Y isattached to the outer end of the valve stemrv' within-the hood 9, andV preferably in a mannerto'permit' self-accommodation of the armature to the pole ends of themagnet frame 14 when the armatureV is 'in attracted position. A safety shut-off valve member-Y 2'7; is` attached to the opposite end of the stem 10 within-the inlet chamber 6, andv preferably in a manner to permit self-accommodation of the valve member 27 to its: valveseatI 8 when in closed position against the valve seat.

Thesupplyfof gasto the pilot burner 23; is under the control of a by-pass valve mechanism shown` in detail inK Figure 4. This by-passvalve mechanism comprises arbore or opening 28-inthe valve body'l. This opening 28 is enlarged and internally threaded at one end at 29, and its:opposite-end is closed and of reduced diameter at 30. Avalveplug 31'V has anv opening32'extending axially therethrough, andan enlarged 'externally threadedv end 331which is screwed intopthe threaded opening 29L preferably with alsuitable sealing-gasket between the enlarged end33 and a shoulder in the valve body.

A valve stem 34 extends through-the axial plug openy ing 32 withV annular clearance or space for the flow of gas-therebetween, aswil-l hereinafterl appear.` A valve member 35 is screwed-onthe inner endfof'the stem and is providedfwitha yielding valve facing 36 held ithereto, for example, by a retainer-37% The valve facing 36 seats againstfan annular valve.` seat 38 at the innerv end ofthe valve; plug-` 3:1' when the valve stem 34 is-in one position, and movesto open position away from the valve seat 38 when thevalve stem34fmoves inwardly. The opposite end of the valve stem `34-is guided for reciprocatory movemenkinrth'e reduced` diameterr opening 30.

Between itsends the valve stem 34 has a valve mem-` ber; 3v9-integral therewith or fixed on theV steml 34 for reciprocatoryy movement therewith. Thevalve member 39' has ayieldingvalve .facing 40.held thereto, for example, by a, retainer7 41., The-valve facing 40 seats againstA an annularvalve seat 42atgthe adjacent end ofthe-valve plug 314 whenthe-valve. stem134' is in position opposite that inwhichthe valve facing 3'6; is seated'against the Avalve seat 38. A coiled spring` 43,;v interposed between the valve member 39and ashoulder'44 in the.` valvebody 1, acts to open valve member 35 fromitsA valvegseat 38` and to closeV thelvalvemember 39y against'itsvalve s eatV 42. The valve members 35 and 39 are preferablyl so arranged that the valve. member 35 will openbefore the valve member 39 closes, ,and vice` versa, for a purposefwhich will hereinafter appear.

Between its enlarged end 33 and the valve seat 42, the valve plug 31 has a pair of spaced annular flanges 46 between which is disposed an annular or 0 shaped sealing ring 47 of neoprene or other suitable material. Th1s ring 47 contacts the inner periphery of the bore 28 and forms a gas seal for preventing the flow of gas from one side of ring 47 to the other. side of the ring externally of the valve pluglill.v The valve body 1 has a passage 48 which opens from the inlet 2 or upstream side, of the valve body into the bore or opening 28 on one side of the ring 47. Another passage 49n in the valve body 1 constitutes a pilot fuel outlet, and opens from the bore or opening 28 on the other side of. the ring 47 and delivers fuel to the pilot burner 22 through a fuel supply tube 50 leading to the pilot burner. Thevalve plug 31 has diametrical ports 52 which place the opening 32 in communication with the bore 28 on the side of the seal ring 47 from which leads the passage 49.

For the purpose of cocking or resetting the device, there isl provided a drive shaft 54 rotatably supported in a wall of the valve body 1. The inner end of the shaft 54extends inwardly into the valve body 1 and is connectedto thecoiled spring 55 of a clockwork mechanism desworkmechanism 56 serves as an energy or power storing.

device,y and the escapement meansl serves as a time delay means whereby thev armature 26 may be actuated to attracted position and the valve member 27 to openposition by the energyY in the clockwork mechanism after atimedelay following energization of the spring 55,-

asy will presently'appear.. Thev time delay is preferably for a predetermined period of time which will permit lighting of the pilot burner 22` and thermoelectric energization of the electromagnet 13 sufficiently to hold the armature 26 in attracted position andy the valvemembe'r 27 invopen position.

Thelouter end'l ofth'e'shaftf54v extends outwardly from the valve body 1 and is provided with a knob or finger piece 58' which is adapzted'to be grasped in the hand of the person operating they device and turned to turn the shaft 54- in a-direction' to wind or tension the spring 55; Ther innerl end ofI thev shaft 54 tstelescopically for relativeturning movement in a hollow cam shaft 60 which is rotatably-'supported inthe valve body 1. The shaft60 has anI integral' disc ory radial ange 61. Mounted for relativeturning-'movement on` the drive shaft 54 and in proximity to the disc' 6'1is 'a ratchet wheel 62;

A drive- Wheel 63- is fixedkk onY the drive shaft 54' for turning movement therewith'. The wheel' 63' is disposed in proximity to the ratchetv` wheel 62, and has a pair of diametrically oppositeV clutch claws 64V struck inwardly therefrom as-the deviceV is shown in Figure 2' for cooperation-.with aA` pair ofv diametrically opposite clutch claws 65-struck voutwardly fromA the ratchetwheel 62'. A coiled torquespring66-isinterposed between the ratchet wheel 62 and the disc-61, and is connectedat its opposite ends to the ratchet'w'heel 625A and disc* 61, for example, by engagement-fof itsI turn-ed' ends in openings in the ratchet wheel-.62 and-disc! 61 as shownA in Figure-2. A coiled spring 67 is interposed between the ratchet wheel 62`and' dis t:^..6=1\,l and acts -endwise therebetween.

Thacam. shaft 6tl'has inf the outer periphery ofthe non` rr.. @fr spring-:rarer herding-fthe cam shun se in position. Thet opposite endof the-spring72 istxedly anchored`at'f73; for example, on the'valve body 1" within the outlet chamber 7. A cam follower 74 has a forked or bifurcated portion presenting arms 75 which are slotted at 76 and straddle the cam shaft 60. A cam 78 is fixed on the cam shaft -60 for rotation therewith, and has a pair of generally diametrically oppositely directed cam arms 79 which cooperate with the cam follower 74.

The cam follower 74 has an integral pin 80 which telescopes into and has sliding movement in the sleeve portion 81 of a valve disc screw 82. The valve disc 27 may, for example, be clamped between the polygonal head of the screw S2 and the head of a screw 83 the shank of which passes through the valve disc screw 82 and is screwed into the head of the valve disc 27. A coiled spring 84 is interposed between the head of the screw 82 and the cam follower 74, and acts endwise therebetween.

The operation of the device is as` follows:

When the pilot burner 22 is ignited, the heat thereof on the hot junction 21 of the thermoelectric generator produces a thermoelectric current in the coil 15. The magnet frame 14 and armature 26 are preferably formed of an alloy of relatively low magnetic reluctance. As a result, the minute or relatively weak electromotive force produces a magnetic eld of sufficient strength so that when the armature 26 is placed in attracted position the magnetic attraction will hold the armature 26 in attracted position against the magnet frame 14 and the valve member 27 in open position. The holding action of the electromagnet 13 at this time is greater than the force exerted by a spring 90 which is interposed, for example, between the valve member 27 and the guide member 10 or packing 12, and acts endwise therebetween.

If the flame of the pilot burner 22 is extinguished, the holding action of the electromagnet 13 ceases to be sufcient to hold the armature 26 attracted to the magnet frame and the valve member 27 in open position. As a result, the spring 90 moves the valve member 27 to closed position against its valve seat 8 to shut off the supply of fuel to the main burner 23 and also the supply o-f fuel to the pilot burner 22, as will presently appear. The armature 26 moves to retracted position with the movement of the valve member 27 to closed position.

When it is desired to reset or cock the device, the knob or finger piece 58 is grasped and rotated, for example, into the position shown schematically in Figure 3. The accompanying rotation of the drive shaft 54 winds or tensions the spring 55 of the clockwork mechanism 56 to set up and store therein the power or energy necessary for resetting or co-cking the armature 26 to attracted position and the valve member 27 to open position. The rotation of the drive shaft S4 which accompanies rotation of the knob 5S as above described, also turns the drive wheel 63 with the shaft 54 until the clutch claws 64 engage with the clutch claws 65 on the ratchet wheel 62 in such manner that the ratchet wheel 62 will be turned with the drive wheel 63 when the drive wheel 63 rotates in the opposite direction. The clutch claws 64 and 65 may be of spring or yielding form topermit the claws 64 to snap past and engage theclaws 65 and to permit engagement in the opposite direction, or the clutch claws may be of `other suitable form to permit the desired action. v

It is to be noted at this point that the only manual manipulation required to cock or reset'the device is to turn the knob 53 to wind or tension the spring 55. The person operating the device may then immediately remove his hand. He is not required to hold the armature in attracted position and the valve member in open position until the electromagnet is energized sumciently to accomplish this result.

As soon as the knob 58 is released, the spring 55 of the clockwork mechanism drivesor turns the shaft 54 in the reverse direction with accompanying turning move- .ment of the ratchet wheel 62 inl the same direction` through the cooperating clutch claws 64 and 65. When the valve member 27 is closed, the outer end of the valve member 35 engages in one of a pair of diametrically opposite notches 92 in the periphery of the drive wheel 63, and, `as a result the spring 43 closes the valve 39 and opens the valve 35 of the by-pass valve mechanism for the pilot burner.

Upon commencement of rotation of drive wheel 63 the cam surface 94 at the adjacent peripheral notch 92 will actuate the valve stem 34 in a direction against the action of the spring 43, and thus move the valve 35 to closed position and the valve 39 to open position. Fuel then passes from the upstream side of the valve body 1 through passage 48, bore 28, opening 32, ports 52, passage 49, and tube 50 to the pilot burner which may be ignited, for example, by a match or taper or otherwise as desired.

Rotation of the ratchet wheel 62 by the spring 55 of the clockwork mechanism causes tensioning of the torque spring 66. When suflicient energy is supplied to the spring 66, the spring 72 will be caused to ride out of the detent notch 70, and the cam 78 can rotate approximately to pop the cam follower 74 up and down, or it can rotate a lesser amount and thereafter drive the cam follower 74 up more slowly under influence of continuing action 0f the spring 55 of the clockwork mechanism 56 which will further tension the spring 66. These features are contemplated both ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Upward movement of the cam follower 74 causes opening of the shut-off valve 27 and movement of the armature 26 into attracted position against the magnet frame of the electromagnet. Assuming that the electromagnet 15 has been sufficiently energized during the time delay by the heat of the pilot burner ilame on the thermoelectric generator, the armature 26 will remain and be held in magnetic engagement as soon as it is actuated, to attracted position, and thus the valve `member 27 will be held in open position. The spring 84 serves as a strain release spring which, when compressed by the cam 78, has more tension than the spring 9i) and provides for firm engagement of the armature 26 with the magnet frame 14. With this structure the adjustment of the parts is preferably such that after the armature 26 engages the magnet frame 14 the cam follower 74 will preferably still be projected a short distance by the cam 78 toassure good seating of the armature against the magnet frame.

The cocking or resetting rotation of the drive shaft 54 under the action ofthe spring 55 ofthe clockwork mechanism returns the knob 58 to the position from which it is turned to tension the spring 55. Consequently, upon completion of the resetting operation by the clockwork mechanism, the parts assume their positions forsubsequent operation by manipulation of the knob 58. In the operation of the device the valve 39 is closed and valve 35 opened after the cam 63 'has rotated 180.

I'he opening of the' valve 35 prior to closing the valve 39 assures that a supply of fuel will be established to -the' pilot burner 22 fromA the outlet cham-ber 7 before the supply of fuel to the pilot burner from the upstream side of the valve body 1 is shut off by the valve 39. The pilot valve structure alsoassures that the valve 39 will open before the valve 35 closes, thus assuring establishment of a `supply of fuel to -the pilot burner 22 from the upstream side of the valve body 1 before the supply of fuel is shut off from the outlet chamber 7 to the pilot burner.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be ex'- pressly understood that said drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had 'to the appended claims Ifor that purpose.

I claim:

1. In a thermoelectric safety shut-olf device of the class wherein there is an electromagnet, a thermoelectric genegator connected in circuit with ysaid electromagnet forI casas-,ecnM

energizing same, anarmature having attracted andl lie-- tractedvpositions andadapted to b'e held in attracted posi'-A tion by said electromagnet,. a con-trolling meniber'ha'\'iingv safety'andoperative positions and connected t'o said armaturer to be held inv operative position when the armature' isl in attracted position, the' combination with said device of reset means comprising an energy storing device operatively connected with the armature and controlling member for resetting said armature to attracted position and said controlling member to operativeposit-ion, an actuator connected manually to energize said energy storing device, time delay mechanism operatively cooperating with said energyst'orinfg device for providing a time -delay between energization'of said energy storing device and re'- -setting o'f' said armature to attracted position and-said controlling member to operative position by said energy storing device', t-he operative connection between the energy storing. device andthe armature and controlling memb-er including: 'a drive member operatively cooperating with the energystoring'devicel to be driven thereby, a driven member operatively cooperating with the armature and con'- trollingr member, and cooperating clutch claws on said' drive and driven members.

2. In a thermoelectric safety shut-oit device of the class wherein there is an electromagnet, a thermoelectric generatorf connected in circuit with said electromagnet for energizing same, an armature having attracted and retracted positions and adapted to be held in attracted position by said electromagnet, a controlling member having safety and operative positions' and connected to said arma'f ture-to beheld in operative position when the armature isfini attracted position, the combination' withsaid device of'. reset means` comprising al1-energy storing device operatively connected with the armature and controlling memrber for resetting said armature to attracted position and said controlling member to operative position, an actuator connected. manually to energize said energy storing device,l time delay mechanism operatively cooperating with; said' energy=storing device for providing a time delay between energization of said energy storing device and resettingiof'said armature to attracted position and said controlling member' to operative position by said energy storing device, the operative connection between the energy storing device and the armature and controlling member including avdrive member operatively cooperating' with the energy storing device to be driven thereby, ae-dri-venimember` operatively cooperating with the armaturezandvcontrol-lingmember, cooperating clutch claws ony wherein there is'anJ-electromagnet, a therm-oelectric' gen-Y erator: connectedfirr circuit with said electromagnet1 for energizing same,- van' Y armature having attracted and retra'ctedy positionsand adapted to be 'held ini attracted position -by said electromagnet, ,a controlling member having safety and operative positions andconnected to saidfarmature tok be held inoperative position vwhen the-:armature is -in attracted posi-tion, the combination with sa-iddevice of ,reset mean-sfcomprisingfan' energy storing device operativelyconnected. withz4 theA armature and controlling member for. resettingsaid'armature to. attracted position.'

and said controlling member to operative position, an actuator connected manually to energize said Venergy store ing' device,I ,time delayy mechanism' operatively 'cooperating' with Lsaid'energy `storing fdevicezfor 'providing atirn'e delay 'betweerr-ertergizatiolI-of'i said energy storing device and' resetting ofsa'idilarmatureito attracted position and said' controlling member to operative position by said energy storingdevice, the operative connection between the energyLA storing;device and. thef armature' and controlling? membenincluding :a drive membeioperatively cooperating# with the energy storing device to be driven thereby, ai driven: member' operatively cooperating' with the armature land controlling'l member,- c'oo'perating' clutch clawsorsaid drive andi drivenv members-,1 and a by-passl valve mech? anism .having a valve stem' operatively cooperating with car'n means. on one of said drive and' driven refnbr's for actuation to and from byepass relation by rotation of said memben-s'aid by-pass valve mechanism comprising av pair of valves arranged so that one valve will open'I before the other valve cl'ose's and Will close after said other' valve opens. v

4. In a thermoelectric safety shut-off device of theclass wherein there is an electromagnet, a thermoelectric' generatorico-nn'ected i'n circuitl with' said electromagnet for" energizing' same, an armature" having attracted and' retracted positions and adapted to be held in attractedy position by said electromagnet, a controlling member having safety andoper'ati've positions and connected to said? armature' to bei held in operative position when the armature' is in attracted position, the combination with said'devi'ce of reset means' comprising an energy storing device operatively connected with the armature and controlling member for resetting said armature to attracted position and said' controlling member to operative position, an'I actuator connected manually to energize said energy storing device, time delay mechanism operatively cooperating with'said-energy storing device for providing a time delay between energization of said energy storing device and resetting'of said armature to attracted positiony and said controlling member to operative position by said energy storing device, theoperative connection betweenv the energy storingfd'evic'e andthe armature and controlling member including-a d'r'ive member operatively cooperating with the energy storing device to be driven thereby, a driven-member operatively cooperating with they arma-f ture andx controlling'member,` a ratchet member inter# posed between said drive member a'nd'said driven member and havin'g'clutch claws cooperating with clutch claws on said drive member, and a torque spring connecting said driven member to' said'ratchet member.

5. In.- athermoelectrie safety shut-oit device of the classiI wherein there isi-an' electromagnet, a thermoelectric generator connected; incircuit with said electromagnet for' energizing same,-anf armature having attracted and l retracted positions: and adapted to be held in attracted position by said electromagnet, a controlling member having safety and operative positions and connected to said armature to be held in operative position when the' armature is in attractedVV position, the combination with said device for reset means comprising an energy storing device operatively connected with the armature and controlling member for resetting said armature to attracted position and said controlling member to operative position, an actuator connected manually to energize' said energy storing device, time delay mechanism opera-V tively cooperating with said energy storing device for providing a time delay between energization of said energy storing device and resetting of said armature to .attracted` position and said controlling member toY operative position by said energy storing device, the operative connection between the energy storing device and' the armature and controlling member including a drive member operatively cooperating with the energy storing device to be driven thereby, a driven member operatively cooperating with the armature and controlling member, a ratchet member interposed between said driv'e` memberand said driven member and having clutch claws cooperating with clutch claws on said drive member, a' torque spring'connecting said driven member to said ratchet member, a cam actuated by said driven member, and a cam follower operatively cooperatingv with the controlling member and also operatively cooperating With'ls'ai'd canr for rectilinear actuation thereby.

62 A thermoelectric safety shut-oit valve comprising, inclombination; af valve bo'dy'hav'inga fuel inlet'and a` 9 fuel outlet, a valve member having open and close positions and controlling communication between said inlet and said outlet, an armature connected to said valve member, an electromagnet for holding said armature in attracted position and thereby said valve member in open position, .a thermoelectric generator connected in circuit with said electromagnet, means for actuating said armature to retracted position and said valve member to closed position, reset means for resetting said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position, time delay means operatively connected between said reset means and said valve member for delaying actuation of said armature to attracted position `and said valve member to open position by said reset means, the valve member being a safety shut-R valve, and a by-pass pilot valve mechanism operatively cooperating with said reset means for by-passing fuel for a pilot burner from the upstream side of the valve when the shut-olf valve is closed and for passing fuel for the pilot burner from the downstream side of the valve when the shut-off valve is open.

7. A thermoelectric safety shut-off valve comprising,

i in combination, a valve body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, a valve member having open and closed positions and controlling communication between said inlet and said outlet, an armature connected to said valve member, an electromagnet for holding said armature in attracted position and thereby said valve member in open position, a thermoelectric generator connected in circuit with said electromagnet, means for actuating said armature to retracted position `and said valve member to closed position, reset means for resetting said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position, time delay means operatively connected between said reset means and said valve member for delaying action of said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position by said reset means, the valve member being a safety shut-off valve, and a bypass pilot valve mechanism operatively cooperating with said reset means for by-passing fuel for a pilot burner from the upstream side of the valve when the shut-off valve is closed and for passing fuel for the pilot burner from the downstream side of the valve when the shut-olf valve is open, said by-pass pilot valve mechanism comprising a pair of valves arranged so that one valve will open before the other valve closes..

8. In combination, a first valve member having an open position permitting flow of a main burner fuel supply and a closed position shutting off such fuel supply, an electromagnet adapted when energized by a source of small electric energy to hold said first valve member in open position but incapable when so energized of actuating said valve member to open position, an energy storing device effective when energized to actuate said first valve mem ber to open position, and a second valve member actuated to an open position by said energy storing device when the latter is energized to establish a llow of fuel for a pilot burner at least until said first valve member is actuated to open position, the opening of `said first valve member establishing a pilot burner ow of fuel independent of said `second valve member.

9. A control device having an inlet and having a main and a pilot fuel outlet comprising, a main fuel valve normally operable to permit or prevent fuel ow to said main fuel outlet, resettable safety shut-olf means for said main valve, reset means for moving said main valve to open position and resetting said safety shut-oil:` means, time delay means operatively connected to said reset means for delaying the operation thereof, and by-pass valve means operatively cooperating with said reset means for bypassing fuel from the upstream side of the main valve to said pilot fuel outlet when the main valve is closed during the time delay period of a resetting operation, and for passing fuel to the pilot fuel outlet from the downstream side of said main valve when the latter is open following resetting.

10. In combination, a controlling member having an operating position and biased toward a safety position, means for holding said controlling member in operating position against said bias when moved thereto, reset means including rst energy storing means effective upon storage of a predetermined amount of energy in said energy storing means to actuate said controlling member to operat- -ing position where it is held by said holding means independently of said energy storing means, and time controlled force-applying means operatively connected to said reset means and comprising a force-applying member operatively connected to said lirst energy storing means for storage of energy therein when said member is moved in one direction, second energy storing means, and a manually engageable energizing member manually actuatable to an energizing position to energize said second energy storing means by storing a predetermined amount of energy therein, in response to which said force-applying` member is moved at a predetermined rate in said one direction by the energy stored in said second energy storing means to thereby effect storage of gradually increasing amounts of energy in said iirst energy storing means whereby to afford, after apredetermined time delay following energization of said second energy storing means, storage of said predetermined amount of energy in said first energy storing means and thereby actuation of said controlling member to operating position by said reset means.

11. A control device having an inlet and having a main and a pilot fuel outlet comprising, a main fuel valve normally operable to permit or prevent fuel ow to said main fuel outlet, by-pass valve means also controlling the fuel flow to said pilot fuel -outlet and movable to and from by-pass relation with respect to said main valve, resettable safety shut-off means for said main valve, and sequential actuating means operatively associated with said main and by-pass valves and operable to actuate said by-pass valve means to by-pass position permitting fuel ow to said pilot fuel outlet while said main valve is closed, and after a predetermined time delay to actuate said main valve to open position and said safety shut-off means to reset position, said actuating means permitting return of said by-pass valve 'means from by-pas's position upon opening of said main valve to thereby permit fuel ow to both sai-d main and pilot fuel outlets through said main valve.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,643,858 Sawvage Sept. 27, 1927 1,995,070 Lux Mar. 19, 1935 2,025,511 Johnson Dec. 24, 1935 2,035,648 Frank Mar. 31, 1936 2,177,778 Martin Oct. 3l, 1939 2,303,672 Wuntz Dec. l, 1942 2,397,219 Toliaferro Mar. 26, 1946 2,403,611 Ray July 9, 1946 2,257,927 Wunsch Oct. 7, 1947 2,417,667 Strobel Mar. 18, 1947 2,455,521 Rice et al; Dec. 7, 1948 2,578,194 Matthews Dec. 11, 1951 2,578,717 Mayer Dec. 18, 1951 2,779,400 Hollman Ian. 29, 1957 

